George Henry Wallace (born July 21, 1952) is an American comedian and actor. He is best known for his show at the Flamingo Las Vegas where he is known as "The New Mr. Vegas"[1] and for his catchphrase, "Get your mess right."[2]

He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Mary Lou and George Wallace, Sr. He grew up in a loving, religious family.

Wallace was educated at Lynwood Park Elementary School and Lynwood Park High School. Since his early teenage years, Wallace dreamed of becoming a comedian.

His mother died when he was sixteen, prompting him to move to Ohio where he found a job with Firestone Tire. As part of the company's tuition-reimbursement program, Wallace enrolled in the University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio, where he studied transportation, marketing and advertising.

Upon graduation, Wallace moved to New York City in pursuit of his childhood dream. At first, success in comedy proved elusive and Wallace worked as a salesman for an advertising agency to pay the bills.

Career[edit]

Wallace's break came when one of his clients opened a comedy club. The club owner was amused by Wallace's natural humor and friendly demeanor and offered him the chance to perform stand-up comedy. In 1977, Wallace walked on stage for the first time, wearing a preacher's robe and calling himself the Reverend Dr. George Wallace. His routine was completely improvised, yet it included the same imagery and delivery of the spiritual leaders who had influenced him as a child. Wallace was a hit.

He stayed in New York City for several years, perfecting his craft and living with friend and fellow comedian Jerry Seinfeld.[3]

Among his more memorable jokes was the suggestion that African-Americans should not have to pay Social Security because their average lifespan was only 65 anyway. His best-known bit is People Say Stupid Things, in which he points out the folly of many popularly used phrases. For example, in response to the term untimely death, he asks "When is a GOOD time to die?" He follows this question with, "I wanna hear something on the news like, 'Senator Jesse Helms died today, and it's about doggone time!!!'" Wallace also pokes fun at himself for having the same name as George Wallace (1919–1998), a politician who served as Alabama Governor (1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987) and a noted segregationist.

As of February 27, 2013 Wallace is in his tenth year headlining at the Flamingo Resort and Casino[4] on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Wallace produces and directs his own show doing all the marketing and advertising.[5] Additionally, he calls the Flamingo home and regularly spends time walking the hotel casino floor mingling with hotel guests.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Wallace has had political ambitions; in 2006, he considered running for mayor of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Wallace stated that as mayor, he would update the Las Vegas Strip, with an easy-to-use monorail, close the strip to vehicles, and expand the road system behind the Strip hotels.[6]

On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, Wallace urged his Twitter followers to watch that evening's So You Think You Can Dance, on which his nephew had just been selected as one of season 10's Top 20.

Accolades[edit]

Wallace is number 93 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.[7]

"Allowance" Performance[edit]

On May 3rd, 2006, Wallace performed his most famous stand-up bit, which was a diatribe against the young generation's obsession with allowances. While Wallace often jokes about the flippancy of modern youth culture (often citing the "dumb dumbs on their smart phones") this one joke in particular resonated with his audience, and he repeats it at every show.[8] The joke varies night to night, but follows the lines, "Allowance? I'll allowance you a roof over your head! I'll allowance you three square meals a day! Get your mess right!" It is largely considered to be the joke that has defined his career ever since.